Automatic straight-knitting machine



(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 1. I J. BENNOR.

AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE. No. 557,641.

Patented Apr. 7

Inventor.

Witn

Attorn ey;

(No Model.) Y 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. BENNOR. AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE. No. 557,641. Pa tented Apr. 7., 1896.

Attorney.

(No Model.) s SheetsSheet 3. J. BENNOR. AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 557,641. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

I I a} 65 Wt whim WW I/III!- III "III Attorney.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J.BENNOR.Y

AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE. No. 557,641. Patented Apr; 7, 1896. um lllllll 5 I in I l I 1 N k M Witn'ss e's'I TfiTrntor.

v g I lw'zam Attorney.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

J. BENNOR. AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 557,641. Padzented Apr. '7, 1896.

Inventor.

Attorney.

Witnesses.

(No Model.) v 6 Sheets-Sheet e.

- J. BENNOR. AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT KNITTING MAGHINE. No. 557,641. 4 Paten ted'Apr. 7, 1896.

.14. Witness; I

M OQW/ Z6154 .viewof a machine embodying my improvebeing omitted. ,Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical an end view of the same.

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

JOSEPH BENNOR, OF MACON, GEORGIA.

AUTOMATIC STRAIGHT-KNITTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 557,641, dated April 7, 1896. A fi ti fil d IanuarylS, 1895. Renewed October 21, 1895. Serial No. 566,416. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH BENNOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macon, in the county of Bibb andState of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Straight-Knitting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention is designed to improve the construction of that class of straight-knitting machines wherein the knitting-cams are reciprocated on oppositelyarranged needlebeds in such a manner as to effect the production of stockings in connected series, the knitting of each stocking in such machines being commenced at a point near the extremity of the toe'part and continued down and around such part, thereupon completing the toe and proceeding with the knitting, successively, of the foot, the heel, and the leg of the stocking.

The present improvements relate, first, to a construction and organization of mechanism for rendering certain needles idle and active at predetermined intervals to effect the requisite formation of a full-fashioned stocking; secondly, to a novel-construction and arrangement of sinker mechanism; thirdly, to a novel and advantageous construction of the cam-carrier and its knitting-cams; fou-rthly, to a simple and efiicient construction of yarn guide mechanism whereby threads of variable size or color may be periodically thrown into and out of operation, and, finally, to various minor features of construction whereby advantages are gained, all of which will be hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an end merits. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, part of the right-hand end of the machine being omitted. Fig 3 is a sectional elevation of the machine, part of the left-hand end thereof section enlarged, as on the line 8 s of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an under side view of one of the camcarriers. Fig. 6 is a plan thereof. Fig. '7 is Fig. 8 is a section, as on the line i t of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a transverse section through a portion of the needlebed 1 in which the toe and heel fashioning needles are contained, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line It in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a similar section through the opposite bed 2, as on the line r in Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a similar section, as on the line w of Fig. :h. Fig. 12 is a similar section through one of the beds on a plane directly in rear of the sinkerframe. thread-carriers. Fig. 14 is a view of two of the needle-supporting jacks. Fig. 15 is a view of one of the division-plates as detached from the needle-bed.

The oppositely-inclined needle-beds 1 2 are supported upon the usual framework 3. Each of the beds is provided with a series of parallel transverse ways, in which is supported and guided a corresponding series of peculiarly-constructed needle-controlling jacks 4, such ways being preferably, though not essentially, formed by and between parallel plates 5, which are let into the recessed bed and are separated or spaced by strips or leads 6. The lower ends of the plates are provided with studs 7, which are fitted to a longitudinal groove 8 in a bar 8 bolted to the lower portion of thc bed, while the upper ends of the plates are provided with corresponding studs 5), upon whichrcsts a longitudinallydisposed bar 10. By this construction a strong and substantial needle-bed of very fine gage is provided. bed is cut entirely through, as at 11, to permit the downward passage and longitudinal reciprocation of depeudingtailpieces on certain of the needle-controlling jacks hereinaf- Fig. 13 is an elevation of one of the The lower portion of the.

ter referred to, which latter jacks each comprise a slotted or bifurcated plate, the lower member aof which is reduced and elongated forwardly, its basal portion 1) being expanded and being provided with an appropriate camslot 0 and with the depending tailpiece (Z. In the remaining jacks the tailpieces are omitted for reasons hereinafter appearing.

Fitted to the longitudinal slot e in each of the jacks is the shank of the knitting-needle 12,-such slot being of sufficient length to contain the shank during the reciprocation of the needle by the superposed knitting-cams. Extending through the cam'slots c of the several jacks in each bed and through opposite perforations 14 in the division-plates is a lon- IOO gitudinally-arranged rod 13:, the extremities of which are affixed .to the underside of the bed by means of set-screws or the like. The several cam-slots in the series. of jacks are uniform in shape,' and they are so formed that if said jacks, or any of them, be moved in one direction longitudinally the rigid rod will act upon the slots to efiect the depression of the lower portien of the jacksor jack so moved, and thus'drop the corresponding needles or needle below the path of the knitting-cams, and that if said jacks, or any of them, be retracted the parts will be returned to their original condition. The upper ends of the jacks in each bed rest uponthe bar 10,

such ends being preferably rounded, asseen,

so as to facilitate the oscillatory movement of the jacks. The cam-slots of the jacks in one bed are the reverse inform of those of the jacks in the opposite bed, fora purpose hereinafter appearing.

The number of jacks raised and lowered during the knitting operation is determined by the number of stitches required in each course of the wide and narrowportions of the leg of the stocking, the number of jacks being equal to the difierence between the stitches required in the courses of the two portions plus the number of courses to be fashioned in the formation of the toe or the heelof the stcck The leg-fashioning jacks are marked a, and they are arranged in. equal numbers at each end of each bed, and the means ne'er fashioning jacks are marked y, and they are applied to the intermediate needles in the bed 2 only, as seen most clearly in Figs; 9 and 10. The remaining jacks perform no function other than to support the needles in active position. They are constructed with the camslots similarly to the other jacks for economys sake intheir manufacture.

At the beginning of the knitting operation "an jacks markedm are depressed to throw their needles'out of action. The knittingcams hereinafter described are then thrown into the active position and they are moved one stroke to throw upward simultaneously the remaining needles in both beds. Yarn is then delivered to the needles, to the end that the cams in the reverse stroke shall retract the needles with the yarn. The cams are then moved to the tube-knitting position (one set active and the other set idle) and a round of stitches is formed. One set of cams is then maintained out of action, and the knitting to and fro is carried on by the other or active set on the bed 1, the needles at the respective ends thereof being alternately thrown out of action by the act of depressing their supporting-jacks, respectively, so as to produce a gradually-narrowed-web the desired length of the toe-pouch, whereupon the said needles are returned to action in inverse order by the upward movement of the jacks. There is thus formed a toe-pouch. Both sets of cams are then thrown into the tube-knitting position and the formation of the foot is efiected. The

heel-pouch is then formed similarly to the toe,

following which the lower portion of the leg needles as usual and'the foregoing-described operation is repeated.

In a pending application, Serial No. 517, 970, filed byme July 19, 1894, and intended to be issued simultaneously herewith, there is described a construction of needle-jack devices operatingfiduring the successive stages, in the identical manner above described. The dif-' ference in the two mechanisms is a structural one, with the view, in this instance; of producing a more substantial and efiicient machine. Asrecited in my said pending application, if all the jacks markedzz: be thrown into action before the actual knitting operation is continued there will be formed in the resultant web in each side of the leg, at the parts where the end needles were thrown into action, an open projecting portion, which portion, when the web is removed from the machine, is cut ofl? diagonally with the lateral edge of the leg portion, and the gap or slit is sewed or otherwise closed. If, however, the jacks x and their needles be thrown into ac tion'at predetermined courses of knitting, the "web will'be gradually widened, thereb'y obviating the necessity of trimming the sides of the web,'which would otherwise project.

This.

By returningthe successive jacks at the end of each second, third, fourth, or other course the lateral lines of widening may be more or less extended, as desired.

Following is a description of the mechanism for controlling the jacks to effect the periodical operations above mentioned.

The numerals 16 16 designate two followers which are arranged beneath the needlebeds and are constructed to be moved toward and away-from each other at predetermined intervals. These followers are preferably in the. form of sectors, which are centrally mounted-on a longitudinally-disposed shaft 17 fixed in and between the end heads of the main supporting-frame. The inner peripheral edge of each of the sectors is ofiset to receive a corresponding segment 18, which is reciprocative in an are described from itscenter. Lateral displacement of the segment is prevented by means of an offset cap-plate 19 secured-to the sector. Fulcrumed on a boss on the inner face of the follower is the lower end of a vertical arm 20, the upper or 'free end of which extends between the capplate and the segment.

This upper end of the arm is slotted or recessed, as at 21, to receive a projecting pin 22 on the segment, whereby the act of oscillating the arm will efiect a corresponding movement of the segment. The body of the arm is provided with an elongated opening 23 therein to receive an eraser I s eccentric 2i on a longitudinally-arranged driving-shalt 25, whereby said eccentric dur ing its rotation will impart the requisite oscillations to the arm in the lop 'tudinal traverse of the latter, as hereina r described.

There are two eccentrics on the shaft 25,0ne for the arm on each of the followers,said eccentrics being oppositely disposed, so as to efiect contrary movements of the two arms.

a. bifurcated plate 26, the lip-projecting members of which are arranged to act upon .the depending tails of the jacks (a: and 3;) during the oscillation of the segment in such a manner as to impart the requisite movements to said jacks to efiect their depression or elevation-that is to say, if each of the segments be moved in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4 the lower member of the left-hand plate will act upon the opposed tailpiece in its path and advance the connected jack, the cam-slot therein thus riding upon the m and lowering the jack, and at the same time the upper member of the righthand plate will take against the opposed tail piece of the jack on the opposite bed and correspondingly move the said latter jack, the cam -slot thereofi riding upon the rod and similarly depressing the jack. In view of the fact that the lengthwise movements imparted to the oppositely-disposed jacks by the plates on the segments are opposite-one upwardand the other downward-the form of the cam-slots in such jacks is reversed, as'above mentioned.

Supported in the end headsabove and parallel with the shaft 25 is a shaft 27, the same extending through the vertical. openings in the arms 20 and through the followers in a manner to support and guide the latter-in their longitudinal traverse. Fixed to the outer side of each of the followers is a sleeve 28, partof whichis externally screw-threaded, as at 29. The threads of the respective sleeves are oppositely pitched, and they are provided with correspondingly-threaded nuts 30, by the act of turning which. the sleeves and, perforce, the followers with their appurtenances are' advanced toward or retracted from each other, as desired.

The nuts are embraced by jaws 31 on the ends of sleeves32, which are aflixed to the respective end heads, said jaws thus maintaining the nuts rotatably in place. These nuts, as will be observed, comprise gearwheels which are engaged with correspondingwheels as on the shaft 25, respectively, whereby motion will be transmitted from the latter shaft to the gear-nuts-to efiect the desired operations of the engaged screws. The pitch of the screw-threads and the relative positions and throw of the eccentrics are so timed that during the inward traverse of the followers the segments in their strokes from left to right engage the bifurcated plates with the respective jacks in a manner to occasion.

At ornear the end of each of the segments is smiled turn strokes to move said lates in the spaces between the jacks, and t during the outward traverse of the followegsa reverse ac-,

tion of the plates occurs. v I Motion is imparted to the'shaft 25 at-the prescribed stages of the knitting operation by any appropriate mechanism, the some as illustrated hereinbeing in essential parts similar'tnthe corresponding mechanism set out in my other application referred tc-that isto say, one end of the shait 25 is externlevl outwardly beyond the head and .is equipped. with a bevel gear-wheel 35. wheel engages two similar wheels 36 3?, loosely mounted on a vertical shaft 34, to which motion is imparted from suitable source of power, as illustrated and described in my Letters Patent of the United States No. 485,317, dated November 1, 1892, to which referencemay be had. Said wheels 36'and 37 are constructed to be alternately fixed to and're-' moved from their shaft by means of an interclutch 38, that is connected with one end of a longitudinal shaft 39 under the control of novel pattern mechanism hereinafter described. The shaft has on its opposite end a depending arm ii), that bears upon the upper .'end of a lever 41, resting upon the periphery of a'pattern-whcel 42 and being held thereon bythe action of a suitably-disposed spring.

the upper .bevel'gear 36, which latter thereupon rotates the shaftiin one direction. When the arm bears upon a high part of the wheel, the clutch is disengaged from the upper wheel and engaged with the lower wheel, which latter thereupon rotates. the-shaft in a Thus when the arm bears upon a low part of the wheel the clutch is engaged with reverse direction, and when the arm bears upon a medium part of the wheel the clutch is thrown into its normal or intermediate position, in which case "it is disengaged trom both wheels and the shaft 25 is at rest.

The pattern-wheel is loosely mounted on the outwardly-extending end of a longitudinal shaft 43, which-is supported in theend heads of the main frame. This wheel, in the present instance, comprises three parts or disks fastened together face to face, their respective peripheries being formed with relatively-arranged risers and depressions to control the operation of the several elements ongaged thereby, as below explained.

On the inner face of the wheel, concentric therewith, is fixed a ratchet-wheel 4.4, which is actuated at predetermined intervalsto advance the pattern-wheel. Loosely mounted on the shaft 43, adjacent to the ratchetpasses a chain 46, whose peculiarly-formed wheel, is a sprocket-wheel 45, around which links determine the governing positions of the pattern-wheel: This sprocket-wheel-has afdxed thereto a ratchet-wheel 47, whichoissimilarly mounted on the shaft 4=3.- Adjacent to the last-named ratchetwwheel there is fixed on the shaft '2. disk 48;with' an eccentric groove 49 in the face thereof, to which groove is fitted a block on a pivoted arm 51, whereb during the rotation of the shaft said-arm will be oscillated. 0n the upper or free end be seen thatif the pawls be engaged with said wheels the latter will be intermittently rotated during the oscillation of the arm, the chain thus being advanced step by step and the pattern-wheel being correspondingly impelled.

Projecting from the innerside of the pawl 53 is a stud 55, which is acted upon by the successive links of the chain at predetermined intervals to raise said pawl out of action, in which case the pattern-wheel remains idle while the chain is advanced. Certain links of the chain are cut away or reduced, to the end that when such links pass under the stud the pawl 55 will drop into engagement with the ratchet-wheel, and thus effect the advancement oi the pattern-wheel to bringthe desired peripheral portion or portions of the wheel into action. This being done, the pawl is raised and held out of action, as before, until a change in the work is required, whereupon the pawl 53 is brought into play in the manner above stated. In this way the links of the pattern-chain govern the determinate positions of the pattern-wheel during the success've stages'of the knitting operation.

The vibratory sinkers D are supported in kerfs in longitudinally-disposed bars 56, arranged along the opposed edges of the needleoeds, respectively. These bars are preferably superimposed on longitudinally-slotted bars 56, affixed to the respective beds, the forward under portions of the former bars being recessed or cut away, as at 56, to communicate with the slots 56 in the bars 56. Hence any lint, &c.,-that may enter the kerfs in the bars 56 will pass through the slotted bars 56 into and through the throat of the machine instead of lodging within the kerfs and interfering with the free action of the sinkers.

T he sinkers alternate with the needles, and they are held normally engaged with the web by means of springs 57, which are interposed between the backs of the sinkers individually and the backs of the kerfs to which the sinkers are fitted. These springs are preferably shapedsimilarly to a cotter-pin, the bends or loops thereof extending above the tops of the respective bars 56, to the end that the springs or any of them may be readily removed from or applied to the sinkers without disturbing other parts of the machine. That limb of the spring which bears against the sinker is preferably bent slightly to form a teat, which enters a notch in the sinker, as seen.

The sinkers are retracted at the proper times relatively to the knitting cams by means of earns 58, which are connected with and impelled by the reciprocating cam-carriages (hereinafter described) similarly to the like parts set out in my pending application aforesaid.

Those sinkers which coact with the end noedles under the in fluence of the jacirs marked a: are moved out of and into action simultaneously with said needles, the mea s for fecting such operations of the sinlrcrs being practically the same provisions for a like purpose illustrated and claimed in a pending application, Serial No. 515,911, filed by me June 28, 1894. Said sinkers are rendered inactive in order to prevent their engagement with the yarn when the coacting needles are out of operation.

In the present construct-M1159 represents one of two brackets, which are fitted to the throat of the machine at the respective ends thereof. Each of the brackets comprises an arm 60 rising between the needle-beds "from an inclined lug 61, which is bolted to he under side of one of the beds. Extending inwardly from this arm is a pin 62, upon which is supported and guided a longitudinally-movable head 63, the forward or acting edge of which is beveled, as at 64. Encircling the rod intermediate the outer end of the head and the opposed arm is a spiral spring 65,which acts to forcethe head normally inward beneath the tails of the two sets of end sinkers for the purpose of raising said sinkers out of action. Depending from the head is an arm 66, the lower end of whichjs engaged bya set-screw 67 ona vertical arm 68 rising from the adjacent follower.

Then the followers are moved inward to effect the dropping of the end needles out of action, the springs (35 force the respective heads inwardly simultaneously in a manner to advance the beveled ends thereof beneath the tails of the sinkers, thereby raising the latter out of action. When the followers are retracted or moved outward to eifcct the raising of the needles into active position, the

-68, which is provided near its ends with inclined slots 69, to which are fitted suitable screw-pins 70 on the bar 56. On one end of the latter is fastened a flat spring 71, which bears against the adjacent end of the gib in a manner to thrust the declining slot-walls against the pins and thus normally depress the gib. WVhen it is desired to remove a needle or needles from the machine, the gib-bar is pressed longitudinally against the force of the spring, the slots thus riding upon the pins.

Concerning the knitting-cams and their supporting parts they are substantially the same, except in matters of detail, as t corcancer a 7 2*, the lateral parts 74 of which are provided with elongated holes 75, through which pass the connecting-screws 7 5, suchholes permitting to behad the requisite adjustment of the lower or cam-bearing plate to determine the throw of the knitting-cams in respect to the needles, and in consequence the ten-- sion or size of the stitches produced.- The lower portion of the section 73 is hingedly connected with the sliding recessed section 760i the carriage by means ofa longitudinal guide-rod 77, which extends through suitably- Y disposed bosses on said sections.- Secured to the lateral flanges of the section 7 6 are upwardly-extending screws 78 7 8, by which are freely held the respective ends of a transverse plate 79, between which and the heads of the screws (or pins} are interposed spiral springs 80. The tendency of these springs is to press the plate upon the hinged section, and thus tomaintain said section, with its knittingcams, normally in the down or active position. One of the orifices in the plate mg through which the screw extends, is cut through the edge of the plate, as at 8-1, to the endthat the latter may be readily swung on the other screw as a pivot to permit the application of the hinged section to or its removal from the slide-section. (See dotted lines'inFig. 6.)

Extending through the lateral walls of the section 76 and through a recess or channel 82 in the latter is a longitudinal slidebar 83, on

which isabeveled stud 84, that registers, normally, with a socket 85 in the hinged section. When the slidebar is moved in one direction, the stud bears against the under side of the hinged section ina manner to raise such section and thus throw the cams out of action,

and when the bar is returned the stud enters the socket and permits the parts to resume their previous or operative position. The

requisite movements of the bar are efiected able stop is connected with one end of a ver-' tical lever 88, which is controlled by the pattern-wheel hereinbefore described.

The plate 72*, to which the lower or cambearing plate issecured, is provided with a projection 72*, which extends freely through an opening 73* in the section 7 3, so as to have some little play therein longitudinally of the needles, to the end that the said cams may be primarily set or adjusted to eifect the knitting of a course of comparatively close stitches, such stitches being desirable at the commencement of each stocking. Fitted to sockets in the lower edge of the projection 72 and thecpposed portion of the hinged section are spiral springs 89, the tendency of which is to advance the former. 1

Coacting with thenpper edge of the projection to depress the plate against or to permit it to be raised by the force of the springs 89 is a longitudinal slide-bar 90, that is fitted to the upper portion of the hinged section. The opposed edges of the projection and the bar are provided with steps 91 92,- respectively, that are so arranged inrelation to each other that the step on the badmay he slid upon or off the step on the projection by the-act of reciprocating the bar, thereliydepressing the plate or permitting its elevation, as above stated. The movements of the bar are effected by its impact at certain intervals with the usual end stops before mentioned.

The .sinker-cam-suppcrting arm 58 is secured to the projection of the plate 72, to the end that the sinker-cam 58 shall be rendered fictive and inactive concertedly with the knit ting-cams.

0n the under side of the carriage-section 76 are arranged longitudinal cams 93, which are adapted to engage lugs or projections f on the jacks during the traverse of the camcarriage, when the jacks are raised or active, and thus obviate any liability of such jacks accidentally dropping while the knittingcams are passing over them.

Heretofore the cam-carriages have been fix-- edly connected by means of a yoke or saddle,

no provision being made for their relative adjustment to compensate for wear or for inaccuracy in fitting. To overcome this defect,

I adjustably connect the yoke (noted 94) with the sliding sections of the carriagesaespectively, as follows: On thesides or flanges of the two sliding sections are screw-threaded studs 95, respectively, to whichare fitted the respective perforated ends of the yoke, said studs being equipped with suitable set-nuts 96, wherebythe requisite adjustmentsvcf the parts may be effected. I

The yoke is connected with and impelled by a positively-driven crank-wheel 97 on the vertical shaft 34, as usual; Supported in suitable brackets98 on the end heads is a longitudinal rod 99, which extends through and affords a guide for the yoke.

The yarnguide mechanism herein employed diifers only in points of detail from the corresponding mechanism set out in my application, Serial No. 517 ,97 0, alcove alluded to, the novel features in this instance residing more especially in the mechanism for re-.

ciprocating the carriers. 4

- Referring to Figs. '2, 3, i, and 13, 100 100 designate a pair of parallel bars extending lengthwise of and above the throat of the machine, and 101 102 designate the yarn-carriers mounted on the bars, respectively, and. adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally thereon; 0n the inner side of each of the carriers is a vertical rod 103, on the depending end of which is formed the yarn-guide head 1.04, the same being disposed directly above the median line of the machine. The rod on the carrierqO1 is reciprocative verticall y, while that on the other carrier is fixed in place by means of a suitable set-screw. The bar 100 is provided on its inner face with a longitudinal groove 105, which extends parallel with the edge of the bar, excepting at one end, where it is inclined upward, as at 106. llngaged with this groove is a pin or roller 107 on the inner side of the adjacent rod, which pin or roller, -following the course of the groove during the traverse of the carrier, is directed upward by the inclined portion of the groove. in a manner to elevate the rod and its guidehead. The latteris raised and maintained above the track of the other or fixed guide-head, so that the hcadswill not interfere with each other, it being understood that one of the carriers is idle at this end of the machine, wh ile the other is active, the carriers being thrown into and outof operation at predetermined intervals. 7

The arrangement and the operation of parts just described are precisely the same as in my pending application last above referred to. As a means to adjust the roller on the rod so as to regulate the position of the yarn-guide head in respect to the needles I extend the stud of the roller through an elongated slot 108 in the rod, and secure the stud in place by means of a nut 10.) thereon,the faceeplate of the carrier being cut away, as at 110, to receive the nut and permit the requisite vertical play thereof. (Sec Figs. i and 13.)

The upper ends of the rods extend above the respective carriers in a manner to be engaged by improved devices for reciprocating the carriers, which devices I shall now describe. On the inner side of the yoke-head is an elongated boss 111, through which the guide-rod 99 freely extends. Sur"ounding this boss is a sleeve 112, which is partially rotatable, its

range of movement being determined by means of a set-screw 113 extending from the boss through a peripheral slot 114c in the sleeve. Clamped on this sleeve a suit-able distance apart are two split collars 115, which are provided with depending studs 116. These studs are so relatively arranged that they maybe disposed to embrace either of the up-projecting ends of the rods on the yarn-carriers in a manner to reciprocate theengaged carrier in concert with the yoke and the cam-carriages; or the studs may be moved in a plane between the two rods, so as to be disengaged entirely therefrom, in which latter instance neither carrier will be impelled. The split collars are clamped on the sleeve by means of set-screws 117fitted to lugs on the ends of the respective collars, so that said collars, or either of them," may be nicely adjusted on the sleeve. On the outer or free end of the sleeve is a similarly-clamped collar 118, which is provided with a depending ball-shaped lug 119, that is adapted, dur ing the forward strokes of the yoke, to engage a V-shaped cam-head 120 on the opposed end of the machine and to be moved thereby to determine the position of the sleeve and its depending lugs in'respect to the yarn-carriers. This head is mounted upon a horizontally-sliding plate 121, which is connected with the upper arm of a lever 122 pivoted on the adjacent end head of the machine, the lower arm of the lever being provided with a foot that rests upon the periphery of the pattern-wheel. The foot is held yieldingly upon the wheel by means of a spring 123, to the end that the appropriately-formed surfaces on the wheel will 'ontrol the plate, and thus determine the positions of the cam-head relatively to the path of the lug 119.

Respecting the yarn-guide heads, it will be observed that their lower ends are expanded laterally and oppositely beveled, so as to travel adjacent to the knitting-needles in the respective beds, by which construction the beveled surfaces during the traverse of the heads coact with the latches of the needles to insure the opening of partially-open latches.

I claim- 1. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with the needle-bed, of the oscillatory needlesupporting jack provided with a cam-slot therein, and a support coacting with said slot, substantially as described.

2. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with the needle-bed, of a series of independently-movable needle-supporting jaeks provided with cam-slots therein, and a rod extending through said slots,-substantially as described. I

3. Inaknitting-machine, the combination, with the needle-bed, of a series of needlesupporting jacks therein, the same being longitudinally and vertically movable and being provided with camways, and a fixed rod coacting with said camways, substantially as described.

4. In knitting-machine, the combination, with the needle-bed, of aseries' of needlesupporting jacks therein, the same beinglongitudinally and vertically movable and being provided with camways, a fixed rod coacting with said camways, and means for longitudinally reciprocating said jacks, substantially as described.

5. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with a needle-bed provided with a longitudinally-disposed jack-supporting bar therein, of a series of needle-supporting jacks contained in said bed, theupper ends of the jacks resting upon" said bar and the lower ends thereof being provided with camways, a rod coacting with said camways, and means for reciprocating the jacks, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the needle-bed, the jacks therein, the needles, and provisions wherebythe jacks are temporarily sustained in the raised or the depressed position, of the follower; the rocking device thereon having provisions to act upon the jacks, means whereby said follower and rocking device are IIO ITS

intermittently impelled, and means, whereby the latter is rocked during its traverse, sub stantially as described.

'7. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with the oppositely-arranged needle-beds, of oscillatory needle-supporting jacks therein provided with camways, those of the jacks in.

latory arm provided with an elongated opening therein, provisions whereby it is connected with the segment, an eccentric fitted to said opening, and a shaft for the eccentric,

substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the needle-beds, the jacks therein, their supporting parts, and the needles,of the follower, the segment thereon provided with means to act upon the jacks in the respective beds, means for impelling said follower and segment, and means for oscillating said segment during its traverse, substantially as described. I

10. The combination, with the needle-beds the jacks therein, their supporting parts, an the needles, of the follower, the segment there on provided with means to act upon the jacks in the respective beds, an oscillatory arm on said follower, provisions whereby the arm is connected with the segment, means whereby the follower is impelled, and means whereby the arm thereon is oscillated, substantially as described.

1 l. In a knitting-machine,the combination, with the follower and its supporting parts, of the screw-threaded sleeve on the follower, the shaft for said sleeve, the gear-nut on the sleeve, means for holding the nut in place, a pinion engaged with said nut, the shaft for the pinion, and means for actuating the shaft,-

substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the follower, oscillatory needle-controlling mechanism thereon, a shaft upon which said follower is supported and guided, a screw-threaded sleeve on the follower, a shaft for said sleeve, a gearnut on the sleeve, means for holding the nut in place, a pinion engaged with said nut, the

shaft for said pinion, means on the lattershaft to oscillate the said needle-controlling mechanism, and means for actuating the shaft, substantially as described.

The combination, with the needle-beds, the jacks therein, their supporting parts and the needles,of the follower, the segment thereon with means to act upon the jacks, an oscillatory arm on said follower, provisions whereby it is connected with the segment, the screw-threaded sleeve on the follower, the

shaft for said sleeve, the gearnut on the sleeve, means for holding the nut in place, a pinion engaged with said nut, the shaft for said pinion, an eccentric on the shaft to oscillate the said arm, and means for operating the shaft, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with the needle-bed, of the open or slotted bar thereon, the sinkerframeon said bar, and the sinkers in said frame, substantially as described.

15. The combination,with tlie'sinkei frame, the vibratory sinkers therein, the sinker-cam and its supporting and operating parts, of the independent looped springs detachably fitted to kerfs in the frame rearward of the sinkers so as to act upon the sinkers individually, the looped portions of the springs extending above the upper side of the frame in rear of the path traversed by the sinker-cam, substautially as described.

16. The combination, with the needle-beds, their needles, the sinkers, and their supporting parts, of the reciprocating head fitted to the throat of the machine so as to act upon the sinkers in both beds, and means for operating said head, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with the needle-beds, their needles, the sinkers and their supporting parts, of the reciprocative head fitted to the throat of the machine so as to act upon the sinkers in both beds, the bracket-support for said head, the spring tending to force the head inward, and means for forcing the head outward agairist the action of thespring, substantially as described.

18. The combinatiomwith the needle-beds, their needles, the sinkers and their supporting parts, of the reciprocative head fitted to the throat of the machine so as to act upon the sinkers in both beds, the follower, means for impelling the same, and connections between said follower and the reciprocative head, substantially as described.

19. The combination, with the needle-bed and its needles, of a bar or support on said bed, a gib-bar connected with said bar by means of a pin-and-cam-slot connection, and a spring acting upon said gib-bar to eflect its depression, substantially as described.

20. In a knitting-machine, the combination of the needle-bed andits needles, knitting.

cams, a sectional carriage therefor, one of the sections being arranged at the lower portion of the needle-bed, and the other section being pivotally connected therewith and supportingthe knitting-cams, a rod pivotally connecting said sections and afiording a longitudinal guide for the carriage, and provisions whereby the pivoted cam-supporting section is operated to-throw the cams into and out of action, substantially as described.

21. In a knitting-machine, the combination of the needle-bed and its needles, knittingcams, a sectional carriage therefor, one of the sections being a slide-section and the other section supporting the knitting-cams and being pivotally connected with the slide-section,

. described.

In a knitting-machine, the combination of the needle-bed and its needles, knittingcams, a section al carriage therefor, one of the sections being arranged at the lower portion of the needle-bed and the other section being pivotally connected therewith and supporting the knitting-cams, a rodpivotally connecting said sections and affording a longitudinal guide for the carriage, a sinker-cam, means whereby it is connected with said pivoted section, provisions whereby said pivoted section is operated to throw the cams into and out of action, together with the sinkers and their supporting parts, substantially as described.

23. In a knitting-machine,the combination, with the needle-bed, the lon gitudinally-reciprocative needle-supporting jacks therein provided with upward projections, and the camcarriage provided with a cam to coact with said projections, substantially as described.

24. The combination of the reciprocative carrier provided with a vertical opening in the face-plate thereof, the supporting-bar for said carrier provided with a longitudinal guiding and raising groove therein; a verticallyrcciprocative rod in said carrier bearing a yarn-guide head, a pin or roller engaging the groove, the stem of which roller extendsthrough a slot in the rod, and a, set-nut on said stem, substantially as described.

25. The combination, with the needle-beds, the needles, the cam-carriers and their cams, of the proj ecting pins on the carriers, the yoke, and means for adjustably securing its ends on the pins, substantially as described.

236. The combination, with the needle-beds, the needles, the cam-carriers and their cams, of the screw-threaded pins on said carriers,

the yoke having its ends fitted to the pins, respectively, and the adjusting-nuts on said pins, substantially as described.

27. The combination, with the needle-beds, the needles, the cam-carriers and their cams of the yoke connecting said carriers, the partially-rotatable sleeve on said yoke, the collars thereon provided with depending lugs, a reciprocative yarn-carrier, supporting means therefor, and provisions whereby the sleeve is actuated at predetermined intervals to engage the lugs with or disengage them from the carrier, substantially as described.

28. The combination, with the needle-beds, the needles, the cam-carriers and their cams, of the yoke connecting said carriers, the lon- 6o gitudinal guide-rod for the yoke, said yoke being provided with a boss or extension, the sleeve on said boss or extension, the collars on said sleeve provided withdepending lugs, the reciprocative yarn-carriers, supporting means therefor, and provisions whereby the sleeve is actuated at predetermined intervals to engage the lugs with or disengage them from the carriers, substantially as described.

29. The combination, with the needle-beds, the needles, the cam-carriers and their cams, of the yoke connecting said carriers, the par tially-rotatable sleeve on said yoke, the collars 115 and 188 on the sleeve provided with depending lugs 116 and 119, respectively, the reciprocative yarn-carriers mounted above the respective beds, the reciprocative camhead at one end of the machine, and means for laterally'setting said head at predetermined intervals in respect to the path of the So lug 119, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH BENNOR. Witnesses D. H. Howns, H. G. Waienr, Jr. 

